Melanocytic tumors express connexin 43 but not 26: immunohistochemical analysis with potential significance in melanocytic oncogenesis.

Connexins (Cx) are structural proteins that form gap junctions, which are vital to cell-cell communication and help to regulate cell division. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if there are diagnostically important differences in immunostaining for connexins 43 (Cx43) and 26 (Cx26) in melanoma compared with nevi. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of 34 histologically well-characterized melanocytic lesions, 17 primary malignant melanomas (MM), and 17 nevi were stained with a polyclonal antibody to Cx43 and a polyclonal antibody to Cx26.

Human papillomavirus-related genital disease in the immunocompromised host: Part II.

Human papillomavirus is responsible for common condyloma acuminata and a number of premalignant and malignant anogenital lesions. The immunocompromised population is at particular risk because of a higher incidence of malignant transformation. Lesions in this population may prove refractory to standard treatment.

Human papillomavirus-related genital disease in the immunocompromised host: Part I.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for common condyloma acuminata and a number of premalignant and malignant anogenital lesions. These conditions are of particular concern in immunocompromised individuals who have higher risk of malignant transformation and are more difficult to treat. This is part I of a two-part review that will highlight the cutaneous features of condyloma acuminata and vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal intraepithelial neoplasias, with an emphasis on presentation of these HPV-mediated diseases in the immunocompromised host.

Genitogluteal porokeratosis involving the scrotum: an unusual presentation of an uncommon disease.

Porokeratosis represents a heterogeneous group of keratinization disorders typified by the presence of annular plaques with distinct, raised borders that include cornoid lamellae. Histopathologically, a cornoid lamella is a column of parakeratotic scale overlying an epidermal invagination that displays nearby dyskeratotic keratinocytes and loss of the granular layer. Porokeratosis ptychotropica constitutes a rare variant that classically presents as a plaque in the gluteal cleft that mimics a dermatitis and microscopically contains numerous cornoid lamellae.

Use of mobile telemedicine for cervical cancer screening.

Visual inspection of the cervix with application of 4% acetic acid (VIA) is an inexpensive alternative to cytology-based screening in areas where resources are limited, such as in many developing countries. We have examined the diagnostic agreement between off-site (remote) expert diagnosis using photographs of the cervix (photographic inspection with acetic acid, PIA) and in-person VIA. The images for remote evaluation were taken with a mobile phone and transmitted by MMS.

Digital squamous cell carcinoma and association with diverse high-risk human papillomavirus types.

Digital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) presents a diagnostic challenge because of its relatively rare occurrence and mimicry of benign conditions. Although low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes are commonly associated with benign digital verrucae, digital SCC can be associated with high-risk, oncogenic HPV subtypes. We report 7 patients, including 4 HIV-positive patients, who presented with 10 lesions of digital SCC in situ.

Primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T-cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas most commonly have a CD4(+) memory T-cell phenotype with relatively indolent course, but may in rare cases present with a CD8(+) cytotoxic phenotype exhibiting strikingly more aggressive clinical behavior. We present two cases of the clinically aggressive subtype of primary cutaneous epidermotropic CD8(+) cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and review the current literature, clinical behavior, and recommendations for treatment distinct from that of more common CD4(+) variants of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Dermatologic manifestations of HPV in HIV-infected individuals.

Dermatologic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HIV patients manifests as both anogenital and nongenital skin disease. Anogenital HPV-related disease includes benign condyloma acuminata, the most common cutaneous manifestation of genital HPV infection; intermediate malignancy or premalignant conditions including giant condyloma acuminata (also called Buschke-Loewenstein tumor), anal intraepithelial neoplasia, penile intraepithelial neoplasia, and vaginal or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia; and frankly malignant disease including Bowen's disease and invasive anal, penile, or vulvar carcinoma. Cutaneous HPV-related disease in nongenital skin is also increased in HIV-positive patients, in the form of benign common warts, epidermodysplasia verruciformis-like skin lesions, and nonmelanoma skin cancers.